Getting My Healthy On-January 2012 edition

On January 1, 2012 (like every other person) I made a resolution to be a healthier mom and wife for a few reasons:

1. To take off a few pounds (like 15 or so) so I don't have to lug such a big ass around when I run.
2. To set an example for my kids (and husband).
3. To feed my family food that is fueling them and not bringing them down and making them cranky, tired, and crave more bad food.
4. To make that lifestyle change I swear I'll do every year, but can't quite bring myself to throw out all the bad crap my family is eating.

So the first thing we, as a family, did: 

• Went to Costco and stocked up on nice fresh veggies and fruits
• Cleaned out all the crap we became MORE addicted to over the holidays
• candy
• cookies
• beer
• wine
• chips 
• dip

• Once I brought the food home I cleaned it all and put it in snack bags.  This took about 30 minutes in all, BUT this 30 minutes saved me from:
• Wasting food (cause if it's not EASILY ACCESSIBLE no one is gonna eat it)
• By putting it in snack bags, it's a "perfect portion" for anyone.
• Talk about 'grab-n-go' and fruits and veggies are so easy to eat on the run-no fuss and no mess!

 Fresh Fruit...I have this bowl filled with cleaned fruit ALL.THE.TIME.

Carrots in snack bags (there's about 5-6 baby carrots per bag) 

 Celery stalks in snack bags (there are three 7" stalks cut in half for a total of 6 pieces per bag)

And of course Shakeology, helps me keep up with my crazy kids, job, and exercise.  I never start my day without it. 

Meal Planning is another great way to save money and cut back on your calorie intake.  Planning your meals for your family forces you to stop and think about how much food you have to buy.  My Friend Kari does this, and she's lost around 40 lbs since last year this time (maybe more). 

If you can plan the meal so that each family member gets their portion, you don't have wasted food or over-eating.

So what kind of meals are we talking about?  Something that's easy to make and easy on the budget, right? 

Here are some of my family's favorites:

Stuffed Peppers

• Stuffed peppers with steamed california veggies on the side ( I stuff my peppers with orzo instead of rice) here's my recipe for a family of 5:
• preheat oven to 375° 
• fill a 9x12 pan with a enough water to cover just the bottom of you pan
• 1lb of cooked ground turkey or beef
• 4 large bell peppers halved with seeds removed
• 2 cups of rice or orzo (cooked)
• 2 TBSP of worchester sauce
• 1 TSP pepper
• 1 TSP salt (I always use kosher or sea salt)
• 1 can of tomato paste
• 1/2 cup of beef broth  

Mix all ingredients together well (EXCEPT THE BELL PEPPERS) and fill your peppers with your mixture, put the stuffed peppers in the 9x12 baking dish and bake for 40 minutes.  While your peppers are baking steam your California veggies.  Cut and juice a lemon and set aside.  while your veggies are hot take 1-2 TBSP of butter or margarine and mix with veggies until melted and coat with lemon juice.  VIOLA! serve and watch your family eat it up.

Taco Mac

• 2 cups of cooked elbow macaroni
• 1 pkg of taco seasoning
• 1 lb of ground turkey or beef
• 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese mix
• sour cream
• salsa

Mix your meat, mac, and taco seasoning together top with a bit of cheese sour cream and salsa and enjoy!  If you don't mind the extra calories just use a box of mac and cheese and add your meat and taco seasoning to that.

Chicken a Veggie Bake

I use this recipe when I make chicken breasts and have left overs

• Preheat oven to 375°
• Spray a 6 qt glass baking dish with cooking spray
• 2-3 cooked chicken breast halves -cubed
• 1 large package of frozen California veggies
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1 clove of garlic pressed
• 1/2 lemon juiced
• *1 can of french fried onions (optional)
• *1 can of cream of mushroom soup (optional)

Mix chicken, veggies, cheese, garlic and lemon juice and bake for 40 minutes.  and serve.  done and done.

*If you don't mind the extra calories and would like your dish creamier mix the cream of mushroom soup in with your chicken/veggie mixture.  Bake for 40 minutes and top with french fried onions and bake for 5 more minutes or until onions are brown and crispy.

These are some of my families favorites.  Add yours in the comments and I'll be happy to add it to this blog.  

You owe it to yourself to live a healthy lifestyle.  That doesn't mean a diet, that means eat well and do SOMETHING (like bike, walk, swim, run, etc.) for 30 minutes, MOST days of the week (that means 4 out of 7).  Studies have recently shown that you don't even have to be active for 30 minutes at a time.  You can walk 15 minutes now and 15 minutes later.  

That means you've got more energy to play catch, basketball, whiffle ball, football, and ride bikes with your kids.  Who doesn't want to have more ENJOYABLE family time?  They are only kids for a little while, we all know the bitter sweet reality that is childhood.  Make these few sweet years the ones your kids remember and tell their kids.  Be the example, not just for your kids, but for other parents who see you swinging and playing at the park.  Don't be that dad or mom that sits on the bench playing with their smartphone.

Cheers!